Libera Me (Set Me Free) by Alphekka (PG by Reccer)

[morena-evensong.livejournal.com]

Show: SG-1
Rec Category: Daniel Jackson
Characters: Daniel Jackson, Jack O'Neill,
Pairings: starts off as one-sided Daniel/Jack, eventual Daniel/Jack
Categories: slash
Warnings: Angst, Depression, Suicidal thoughts/plans
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author's Website: Pandemonium
Link: Libera Me

Why This Must Be Read: According to the author's notes, this story was written in reponse to the many stories where either Jack or Daniel finally pluck up the courage to tell the other of their feelings only to find that the other feels the same but has been too scared of ruining their friendship and then they make up for lost time. This story's purpose was to explore what would happen if the response was negative. Daniel's the one to pluck up his courage only to get shot down.

This story is beautifully-written and very different from every other suicide-themed story I've ever read. In a sense, Daniel chooses to give himself one, last week to live and so he rents a beach house and spends a week doing whatever he wants. This story certainly doesn't promote suicide, nor does it idealize it, but Alphekka does an amazing job of getting into Daniel's head, of showing us what he's thinking. Daniel's approach to it is very... Daniel: he's thoughtful, meticulous and very aware of the impact his suicide will have on his friends. Of course, the story isn't entirely angst: there's some action and a bit of humour as Jack realizes how Daniel might have taken his reaction and then comes to realize what he's planning.

Yes, the story does have a happy ending, but that doesn't make its central theme any less powerful and doesn't make the angst hurt any less.

Entangled, by Martha (G)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Show: SG-1/SGA

Rec Category: Jack and Daniel friendship
Characters: Jack O'Neill, Daniel Jackson, Radek Zalenka, Cameron Mitchell, Teal'c, Vala Mal Doran, John Sheppard
Categories: gen, AU, crossover, angst, hurt/comfort
Warnings: none (but see comment below)
Author on LJ: saffronhouse
Author's Website: Martha at AO3
Link: Entangled

Why This Must Be Read: This is an evocative, melancholy AU in which Daniel becomes, quite literally, Schrodinger's archaeologist forever trapped in a submerged Atlantis. I love Jack's POV, the contributions from the ensemble of characters, the interactions between Jack and Daniel. They are heartbreakingly, perfectly them.

Interestingly, I read this story first and only then discovered that it was apparently written as part of a J/D ficathon back in 2007. I would firmly classify this one as goggles-friendly, but I honestly don't see how this can be anything but friendship. YMMV, natch, and it's a gorgeously ouchy fic either way. :)


It's a rainy day in the Pegasus Galaxy. Good thing the mess is serving tacos.